how to prepare for attorney consultation

What should I bring to my first consultation with a lawyer?

Jun 01, 2020 · Finding the Right Attorney. Before you can have an attorney consultation, you need to find a lawyer who might be a good fit. Look for an attorney who focuses his or her practice on your type of legal question, or someone who lists this as a type of law they regularly practice. Your local bar association may have a referral program.

How do I get an attorney consultation?

Gather and organize all relevant documents. Spend some time collecting all the documents related to your legal matter and organize them in a way that makes sense. When collecting documents, it’s better to include too much than too little; your attorney will be better able to decide what is and isn’t important.

What happens during an initial consultation?

A free consultation is a great opportunity for you to ask questions, learn more about the attorney and the law firm, and talk with an attorney about your legal rights and options. Before you contact a law firm or go to your initial consultation, there are a few things you should know that can help make sure your meeting is as productive as ...

When should I give the lawyer the copies of my Documents?

Mar 04, 2022 · Step 3- Specify your legal matter. One of the main things discussed during the free consultation would be your legal matter. To make the most of your time with the attorney, make notes so you can ...

How do I prepare for a lawyer consultation?

Prepare For Your ConsultationBring all documents. Make copies of all the documents you have collected regarding your case and give these copies to your lawyer.Have notes ready. ... Dress for success. ... Be honest. ... Talk about costs. ... Ask your lawyer questions. ... Understand all documents you sign. ... Keep your own files.More items...

What should I wear to an attorney consultation?

The standard attire for meeting with you lawyer should be business casual. Wear dress pants, a nice shirt or top. Women should wear a conservative dress or skirt. ... If you need to refer to a document, pull out what you have and be sure to give it to your attorney.Sep 4, 2019

What questions should I ask a free consultation lawyer?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•Jan 29, 2017

What is the purpose of a consultation with a lawyer?

The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.Nov 16, 2020

Can u wear sandals to court?

Footwear not to ever wear in court: Flip-flop sandals. Athletic shoes. High-heel spikes. Open-toed shoes.Sep 6, 2021

What is women's business casual?

In general, business casual for women includes a skirt or slacks, a blouse, a blazer and an appropriate heel or flat for the office. Business casual do's for women include: Skirts or slacks. Staple pieces include a few pairs of dress slacks and an assortment of knee-length pencil skirts.Dec 10, 2018

What do you say when talking to a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•Aug 4, 2015

Why would a good lawyer not tell a client how their case will come out at the initial consultation?

Why would a good lawyer not tell a client how their case will come out at the initial consultation? A good lawyer knows that every case is different and without doing research. A good lawyer will not guarantee the outcome of any case.

What questions should you ask your lawyer?

Questions you might ask your lawyerDo I have a problem that can be resolved by law?What legal risks am I facing?What documents do I need to support my case?Do I need statements from witnesses?What are my options for resolving the dispute out of court?How can I settle the case?More items...

What does a consultation consist of?

The definition of a consultation is a meeting with a professional or expert for purposes of gaining information, or the act or process of formally discussing and collaborating on something. When you schedule an appointment with a lawyer to get information on your legal rights, this is an example of a consultation.

What does a consultation include?

During your consultation, the attorney will ask about the issues in your case and discuss the merits of the actions and the various ways you can proceed. There will then be a mutual selection process.

What is a initial consultation?

An Initial consultation is a 90 minute consultation for a new client who would like to meet with a psychologist to discuss current issues and/or concerns and talk about strategies and goals for therapy and/or a treatment plan.

1. Gather your documents

The more you bring, the better. The attorney can wade through your documents and figure out what is relevant to your case and what isn’t.

2. Have your questions ready

Once you start talking to an attorney about your case, it’s easy to forget a question or so. Make sure to think through and write down any questions you have before your meeting. Some questions you might ask would be things such as:

3. Bring something to take notes

You won’t be able to remember all of what the attorney says, so writing down some main points is strongly encouraged. While the initial consultation doesn’t include legal advice, you may get some more general information or opinions on your situation.

4. Give all the facts

Most of the meeting will consist of giving an account of what happened that led you to seek legal counsel. For example, if you were hit by someone who was texting and driving, you would tell the story of what happened leading to the crash, how the crash occurred, damages and injuries it caused, etc.

5. Go over all fees and the next steps

Attorneys have different ways of charging you for services, so ask about how they charge and what they charge for their services. Some require a retainer (a certain amount upfront), while others don’t collect anything from you until you win compensation. Ask them to go over all their fees, so nothing surprises you.

What to do after initial consultation with attorney?

If you are comfortable with the attorney, the next step after the initial consultation is to sign a retainer agreement. The retainer agreement should, at least, set forth the fee structure and the scope of representation. The exact terms and conditions of your retainer agreement will depend on the attorney and on the nature of your legal matter.

What to do if you can't trust your attorney?

You need to trust your attorney, which is the cornerstone of any successful attorney-client relationship. If you can’t trust your lawyer, then you need to find one who you can . The above tips should help make your initial consultation with your attorney as productive as possible.

Why is it important to hire an attorney?

Hiring an attorney as early on in your case is essential to getting the best representation you can. Meeting with an attorney as soon as possible not only ensures that deadlines aren’t missed, but it also gives your attorney more time to understand the issues and help you reach the best possible resolution.

Can you lie to your attorney?

Don’t ever lie to your attorney. Even if you think something can be damaging to your case, it’s even worse to withhold information. Your attorney can mitigate almost anything you’ve done as long as you’re truthful from the outset.

What is an initial consultation?

All attorneys meet with prospective clients in what is called an initial consultation. This is a first meeting between you and the lawyer to help you both decide whether you want to work together in an attorney-client relationship. At this point, you are both checking each other out, and getting information and advice that can help you ...

What are some examples of legal documents?

Examples may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, cell phone texts, emails, photos, audio recordings, or videos. Make a set of copies of everything that you plan to share with the lawyer. Give the lawyer the copies at the beginning of the initial consultation.

Paid Consultations vs. Free Consultations

There is an adage, you get what you pay for, but what exactly are you getting from a consultation with an attorney? At the end of the day, a free consultation may seem like the most cost-effective way to begin the legal process, but you could end up paying more for a less-than-ideal outcome. Oftentimes, free consultations are not with an attorney.

What Your Goals Should be for a Consultation

Goals depend on the client and the type of case. Some clients need a specific time-sharing schedule for visitation, desire to keep the marital home or to stay within a specific budget for legal fees. Clear and defined goals will help you feel more comfortable with the legal process and will help your attorney evaluate ways to tackle your matter.

Questions to Ask During a Consultation

Questions are the most important part of a consultation. This is your chance to receive the legal advice needed to find some solace in your case. Legal advice is specific to each area of practice and let’s face it, Google does not have all the answers. Below are some questions you may want to consider asking in your consultation …

What to Expect from a Consultation with a Colorado Legal Group Attorney

Our firm offers an hour-long comprehensive consultation with an attorney to dive into the facts of your case. The dedicated hour ensures that you will have the attorney’s full focus on your case and specific areas of concern. The attorney will answer your legal questions and explore different options you may have in your family law matter.

Eight Secrets to Hiring a Great Divorce Attorney

When you first begin considering a divorce, you have many choices when it comes to hiring an attorney. The purpose of this free eBook is to provide you with an insider’s look at what you should expect from your divorce attorney. This information will demystify the process for you and let you know how to be prepared when you meet with an attorney.

What should be included in an initial consultation?

An initial consultation should always include a discussion of the fees that an attorney may charge and the legal facts and circumstances of your case. You should discuss an attorney’s fee arrangement during the consultation, prior to retaining them, especially if cost is a large determining factor for you.

What is an initial meeting with an attorney?

This is an initial meeting with an attorney that occurs before you decide whether to hire that attorney to represent you in your real estate dispute. The attorney will also use the initial legal consultation to determine if they can legally and competently represent you.

Why do we write contracts?

Thus, writing contracts is done in order to avoid problems and delays later on, as litigation could result if the parties to the transaction experience a dispute. Real Estate litigation commonly involves zoning, construction defects, homeowners associations, and/or boundary disputes.

What is real estate law?

Real Estate law is what provides the legal guidelines and protections for those involved in the sale and purchase of real property. Real property refers to property that is affixed to the land, or a piece of land itself, as opposed to personal property, which is property that is typically easily movable.

What can a real estate attorney do?

A real estate attorney will be able to review the facts of your case, as well as any documents, to determine how best to move forward. An attorney will also help you collect additional evidence through the legal discovery process. Finally, they can also represent you in a court of law, as needed.

Is a legal consultation free?

Before meeting with your real estate attorney, verify whether the consultation will be free of charge. Generally speaking, legal consultations are free.